
Sam Quixley - Chief Radiographer
|
|
Time to read 3 min
|
|
Time to read 3 min
11 years
Private sector only
The Private sector has been good for me in terms of gaining advanced modality training quickly and allowing certain career advancement opportunities that I think would take a lot longer in the public sector.
I attended a career expo at a university when I was in year 12 at school and thought it seemed like an interesting career path.
Currently I am working as a Chief Radiographer, so my role has transitioned from 100% Clinical to something more like 90% Clinical, 10% Management. I organise the day to day at my practices in terms of technical staffing, I am responsible for stock management, and I am also often scanning/performing diagnostic images and procedures at the same time.
I like the variety of modalities I work across, I enjoy challenging cases and being a resource to my colleagues and students.
Two things. Passing the MRI Accreditation exam (it wasn't easy), and meeting the love of my life.
"A good attitude to the work, pride in producing quality imaging, and a desire to keep improving and growing professionally."
Navigating interpersonal challenges with colleagues that I haven't necessarily seen eye-to-eye with.
Yes, as a radiographer there are many instances where you work alongside other health professionals, for example working in an operating theatre environment with nurses and surgeons.
There was a cerebrovascular intervention case I worked on for a 31 year old woman who ended up passing away during the case when the large berry aneurysm ruptured when it was being coiled. It was particularly emotionally challenging as unfortunately I witnessed the surgeon speaking with the woman's partner who was holding their infant child, and it really affected me. I know that during the case I performed the entirety of my role to the best of my abilities, and it was just a very unfortunate thing that happened.
Pick your battles. This advice was bestowed upon me by a manager who I disagreed with regarding a protocol for paediatric imaging for chiropractic requests. She told me "I'm the boss. What I say goes. Pick your battles." I found the advice useful in terms of choosing what I devote energy towards, and conflict with a manager will almost never end in your favour.
That not everyone you work with is a friend, but you can adapt yourself to be a useful member of the team.
Relieved that I got a job. It was during a time when there were far more graduates than there were jobs available, so not everyone was fortunate enough the get work in the field.
I have advanced training in MRI, CT and interventional radiology.
MRI is my favourite modality. I appreciate the physics of how the images are attained, as well as the intricately detailed images that can be formed.
To keep my team happy and engaged, to help them be their best and to set a high standard for what the quality of images should be.
I am happy to impart as much knowledge to the next generation of radiographers that I can. You will learn 50 different ways of achieving the same imaging, and when you are a fully fledged radiographer you will be able to choose what techniques will work best for you.
It was difficult for me to see experienced radiographers who clearly didn't really care about their work anymore. Even as a student I took pride in the quality of my work and my interactions with patients, and it was hard watching older qualified staff not put as much effort into the work that I felt it deserved. I promised myself to not become so blasé, and to keep taking pride in my work.
A good attitude to the work, pride in producing quality imaging, and a desire to keep improving and growing professionally.